On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted Turkey's willingness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, should both nations seek such an intervention.
These remarks were made following Erdogan's participation in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting, held in Lithuania from July 11 to July 12, 2023, as reported by the Anadolu Agency.
President Erdogan underscored the importance of the Turkish parliament as the decision-making authority concerning the protocols involved in Sweden's potential NATO membership.
This statement follows Turkey's recent expression of intent to continue its past role as a mediator in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, a declaration made on July 8, 2023.
In the wake of a meeting of the Turkish National Security Council, presided over by Erdogan and the newly appointed ministers, a statement was issued. The statement discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the escalating risks it poses to the region. It further expressed Turkey's commitment to "continue to contribute to efforts to end the conflict, commence peace negotiations, and ensure global food security."
As a mediator in the Ukrainian crisis, Turkey has proven influential. Collaborating with the United Nations, the country successfully negotiated a deal for exporting Ukrainian grain to Russia, an agreement that has been extended multiple times.
Earlier on March 27, Erdogan had stated his firm stance against allowing the West to involve Turkey in a war against Russia. In an interview with Turkish "A Haber TV," Erdogan said, "Without our efforts over the past two years, the West could have drawn Turkey into a direct conflict with Russia. As long as we hold power, we will not allow this."
Erdogan further emphasized Ankara's intention to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
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